David Moyes will have little time to settle into his new role as Manchester United manager.
Reuters

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has revealed that he is flattered with repeated speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United, but has said that he has received no confirmation of their interest. The Italy international has been linked with a move to United for some time, with stories circulating that Juventus could be willing to part company with him this summer.

With former United youngster Paul Pogba impressing in his first season for the Italian champions, Juventus could decide to cash in on Marchisio to raise funds as they seek a top class striker. His all-around contribution in the midfield for both club and country would surely see plenty of clubs interested were that to prove the case. Big-spending Monaco have also recently been linked with a move. And the 27-year-old admitted that there was some uncertainty over his future.

“When I talk to Juventus I’ll see if I’m still important for them,” he said, according to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport. “If not, then it is only normal for me to look at other teams. It has been said that my intentions are decisive, but it takes two to make that happen. “Any offers from Manchester United or Monaco will make me proud, but nobody has called me. Now I am focusing on the Confederations Cup and after that I’ll understand what’s real and what isn’t.”

Another midfield star has also been speaking about a potential move to Manchester United. Schalke’s Julian Draxler has revealed that he would relish playing for a club of United’s stature, or that of Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid. The 19-year-old is seen as one of the brightest prospects in Germany and, indeed, Europe. The fact that he recently signed a new contract has not prevented him being linked with a summer departure, particularly to Chelsea. Draxler suggested such a move would be hard to turn down.

"Which boy doesn't dream about playing for Real, Barca, Chelsea or Manchester United?” he said, according to Goal.com. “That's nothing to be ashamed of.”

Schalke understandably have no intention of selling the attacking midfielder, but his agent has said that the club would be powerless to do anything should his release clause be met. “The player will cost €45.5 million (£38.7m) and the player must agree,” Roger Wittmann told Bild. “These are the prerequisites for a transfer.”

While that may seem a large figure, the Sun believes that Manchester United are determined to sign a world class player for a potentially record-breaking fee to kick-start the David Moyes era at Old Trafford. As has been widely speculated, one of their targets is claimed to be Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid forward’s Tweet on Thursday that he is not about to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu has once again cast uncertainty over his future. Another article in the Sun claims that United are hoping that Madrid sign Tottenham’s Gareth Bale in order to make them responsive to the idea of parting with Ronaldo.

Yet, apparently if that doesn’t happen then United will go for Bale themselves. The forward is coming off the back of a sensational season for Spurs and has been linked to United in the past. However, it has to be expected that Tottenham would charge an even higher fee were they to allow the Welsh attacker to leave for a Premier League rival. It is hard to envisage United paying in excess of the £80 million they sold Ronaldo for to land Bale.